Because light travels faster than sound, a fan sitting 100 or 200 feet (30.5 or 61 metres) away perceives the runner as reaching the base about one- or two-tenths of a second before they hear the ball strike the mitt.

“The further back you are, the more likely you are to think runner will be safe,” said Tang. “You’re seeing it before you hear it.”

It’s important to be aware of our bias, he said.

Technology – such as an automatic brake system in vehicles that identifies hazards and stops faster than we can – can help overcome our limits.

And perhaps it can reduce disputes on the field, he added.

“We’re hoping it will help people become more understanding of other people’s experiences and beliefs,” he said. – The Mercury News/Tribune News Service